Wetland dynamics using a suite of satellite observations: A case study of application and evaluation for the Indian Subcontinent

[1] Using a suite of satellite observations, including passive and active microwave along with visible and infrared observations developed to estimate wetlands on a global scale, the present study examine wetlands spatial and temporal dynamics over the Indian subcontinent, a region subject to an annual monsoon. Monthly wetlands extent estimates over a 2-year (1993–1994) period and their consistency are analyzed using independent data sets, such as rainfall rate in-situ rain-gauge observations and the Global Precipitation Climatology Project product, as well as river water levels derived from radar altimeter observations. The extent variations show a good agreement with the rain-gauge data, a high correlation with the GPCP rain data and a similar seasonal cycle with the altimeter estimates over the 2 years. This case study evaluation shows the potential of the remote sensing to give spatial-temporal consistent information on the variability of flooded areas and encourages the development of longer satellite wetlands estimates.

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